Chapter 2
Bilbo could hear the commotion he had started growing louder as more orcs joined in the fight. Thorin stumbled, but Bilbo caught him and they continued their slow trek towards the cover of the trees.
Finally they reached the cover of trees, with Bilbo urging Thorin along deeper into the forest. As far as Bilbo was concerned the more distance between Thorin and the orcs, the better.
They walked for what felt like hours, but were actually mere minutes as the sound of the orcs' fighting grew more and more distant.
Finally Bilbo stopped and Thorin slumped down heavily onto a fallen tree. His face was pale and his breathing labored. Bilbo quickly removed the ring and slipped it back into his pocket. It took Thorin a minute to come to the realization that he could finally see the hobbit.
"Bilbo" he breathed, just before his body went limp and he slumped forward.
Bilbo lunged and wrapped his arms around the dwarf king's shoulders, catching his weight and keeping his unconscious form from a harsh meeting with the ground. Cautiously he laid the Dwarf down on the forest floor, careful not to jostle his wounds too badly.
'We need to find a place to hide' thought Bilbo worriedly. 'Thorin needs rest and I cannot protect him here.' It would not be long before the orcs stopped fighting themselves and realized that their captive was gone. Bilbo knew that Azog would search for them with blinding fury and if he found them… well it would not be pretty.
Bilbo placed a hand on Thorin's brow. He found the skin there clammy with sweat and the dwarf king's breathing was coming in shallow pants. Another quick check revealed that his wounds were still bleeding sluggishly and they needed to be cleaned and covered soon or infection would set in.
Bilbo quickly slipped off what was left of his overcoat and covered Thorin with it to ward off the chill. He also moved several fallen branches and dry leaves to cover the other. Hopefully the branches and debris would hide Thorin enough that he would be safe.
Bending close he whispered to the dwarf once more. "I'll be right back. I have to find shelter so we can be safe. Stay alive please. Stay safe"
With that Bilbo stood abruptly, and was surprised to notice that he needed to brush tears off of his cheeks. Now was not the time for such nonsense. He had to find shelter, he had to bind Thorin's wounds, and he had to keep them both safe and alive. With Thorin down for the count it was Bilbo's responsibility to be the leader, and that meant protecting his companion.
He quickly scouted through the underbrush, not exactly certain what he was looking for. He needed someplace hidden and dry. Preferably a place where they could light a fire for warmth, and where there was fresh water nearby.
After a while Bilbo was about to give up hope. He had yet to find any place even close to safe enough and he was becoming more and more anxious. He needed to get back to check on Thorin. Unexpectedly, Bilbo was startled from his musings by a bird that flew directly in front of his face. The small sparrow circled Bilbo twice before flying straight at the mountain side in front of him and disappearing!
Bilbo stared in shock for a few moments as what he assumed was the same sparrow, reappeared from the rock and flew away. As Bilbo came closer he saw what had caused such an illusion.
The cliff face in front of him had a large stone slab that was held slightly apart from the rest of the wall. The thin opening was cleverly hidden from sight by the surrounding foliage and a small group of young trees, making it almost invisible to the naked eye. Bilbo was able to slide behind it and he found himself in a small tunnel. The tunnel was just tall enough for Bilbo to walk through upright, but Thorin would have to bend a bit to fit.
Following the tunnel back a few feet, Bilbo found himself in a small cavern. There were various beams of light seeping in from a couple of fist sized holes in the roof of the cavern that provided enough light for the hobbit to do a quick search around. The cavern was mostly empty except for small branches and some leaves that must have fallen in through the holes in the ceiling. The fist-sized holes appeared to be partially covered by some large leaves that gave the light entering the cavern a faint green tint.
'This will work perfectly' thought Bilbo excitedly. The holes provided light but would not be easily discovered or noticed by the orcs. It may even be enough to hide a small fire. Bilbo hurried out of the cave and back to where he had left Thorin.
Thorin was still unconscious. 'Thank goodness he was not found.' Thought Bilbo as he bent down and brushed the leaves off of Thorin's form before placing a hand on his forehead to check on the state of his fever.
Thorin was still clammy, with beads of sweat dotting his forehead. His skin was starting to feel warm to the touch. They needed to get to the cave soon, so Bilbo could bandage his wounds.
"Thorin" said Bilbo quietly; weary of anything in the forest that might take a sudden interest in them. He grabbed Thorin's shoulder and gently shook the dwarf, trying to get him to wake up enough to at least stumble to the cave. Bilbo was not sure if he would be able to drag the dwarf and he was worried about jostling the dwarfs injures further. There was no way he would be able to carry the dwarf, so it was either wake him up, or leave him there. And Bilbo would never leave someone vulnerable and unconscious in the forest, and definitely not Thorin.
Shaking him slightly harder Bilbo was finally rewarded with a low groan from Thorin. "Thorin we need to move. I need you to wake up. I cannot carry you. Please wake up" Bilbo was almost begging at this point. Thorin groaned again but this time his eyes cracked open and he looked up at the hobbit who was trying to rouse him.
Bilbo noticed with slight apprehension that although Thorin was looking directly at him, it was clear that the dwarf king did not truly see him. He had gathered the hobbits torn waist coat up in one hand and was clutching it, as if he were a child clutching a security blanket.
A couple more shakes and Bilbo was finally able to get the still unresponsive dwarf on his feet, albeit with support from Bilbo to keep him upright and propel him forward.
The cave was not a long distance from where they currently were but it took some time and effort to make it back to the opening and down the tunnel in one piece. By the time Bilbo was able to help Thorin all the way in the cave they were both panting and Thorin was practically dripping with sweat due to the exertion.
"Here now. Let me have a look at your wounds." Said Bilbo, worriedly looking at the paleness of Thorin's face and the grimace of pain he was trying, and failing, to hide.
It spoke volumes of the amount of pain the dwarf was in that he didn't just shrug off the pain and Halfling's help, but instead tried to remove his clothing so that the Halfling could assess the damage. Bilbo rushed to help before Thorin could aggravate his wounds further. After removing his blood-soaked, linen undershirt Bilbo could finally see the extent of the damage.
Thorin's chest was littered with wounds, some mere scratches and others deep cuts and gouges. Many of the wounds were covered in drying blood but there were others still bleeding sluggishly. Moving his gaze upward Bilbo saw the stab wound Azog had inflicted while the hobbit had helplessly watched. The wound was set high in Thorin's left shoulder, the edges of it torn and jagged from where Azog had twisted the knife.
On Thorin's right shoulder, in the soft area between his neck and shoulder lay another wound, made of three large puncture wounds, caused by Azog's metal claw. Lower on Thorin's stomach was a stretch of burnt skin. It looked as though it had been caused by the side of a fire-heated blade. Still assessing the damage Bilbo lightly laid a hand on Thorin's leg.
The fabric on his right thigh was sticky and wet with drying blood and Bilbo knew he would need to care for that as well.
Bilbo's hand just barely ghosted over the stab wound in Thorin's thigh, before it was quickly withdrawn at Thorin's sharp intake of breath.
"I'm sorry." Said Bilbo quickly, apologizing for causing unintended pain as his hand instead went higher to gently cup Thorin's cheek. "I'm trying to be careful." He turned Thorin's head slightly with his grip to look at the cut that ran down the side of his face from Azog's blade.
"Not. Your fault." Thorin managed to grind out between grimaces of pain and wracking shivers that were slowly overtaking his body. Bilbo felt Thorin lean into his hand. "Never your fault."
"I wish I had gotten to you sooner. That I had gotten you away quicker. That I-" Bilbo's guilty ramblings were cut off when Thorin's eyes connected with his and this time they were clear and focused.
"You are not to blame Halfling. It is thanks to you that we are both away and safe. I owe you thanks." Thorin finished as the last of his remaining strength drained from his eyes and they drifted close once more.
"You should save what little strength you have. We are not out of the woods yet." Bilbo replied, lightly stroking down the cut on Thorin's face. "Rest. I will do what I can for your wounds. I do know a bit about healing. But I will have to gather some herbs."
Thorin forced his heavy eyes open once more. "Stay safe, Halfling." He whispered as he fell into slumber once more.
Bilbo managed to pry his waist coat from Thorin's hand and he bunched it up to form a makeshift pillow for Thorin. Then he set to work.
AN- So there was chapter two. I hope it held up to your expectations. If you enjoyed it then please leave me a review to tell me what you thought. Thanks.
